Gulf South Pawpaw Symposium

Join us for a deep dive into the world of Papaws in the Gulf South- a symposium that grows Pawpaw culture and celebrates this unique fruit. The Gulf South Pawpaw Symposium will be held on December 12th, 2026, at the Docville Farm in Violet, Louisiana. The symposium aims to bring together farmers, backyard gardeners, and entrepreneurs from across the United States to learn about the Pawpaw. Our Keynote speaker is Andrew Moore, author of Pawpaw: "In Search of America's Forgotten Fruit." Retired LSU Ag Center agent Charlie Overstreet will discuss his experience growing, grafting, and breeding Pawpaws. Blaise Pezold, Coastal and Environmental Program Director with The Meraux Foundation, will share his experience collecting and growing Pawpaws and mapping wild fruit populations. Anna Timmerman, LSU AgCenter Extension Agent, will share resources for start-up Pawpaw farmers. We will have a small Pawpaw tasting and Pawpaw books for sale from Two Fish Books. Pawpaw trees will be given to attendees who are signed up on Eventbrite.